April 19 1947 November 7 2022
Obituary Please share a memory of James to include in a keepsake book for family and friends. View Tribute Book James Ray Daily, 75, of Owensboro, died November 7, 2022 at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. He was born April 19, 1947 to the late Claud and Melvilla Daily. He retired from Alcoa Aluminum (42+ years) and was in the US Marines and served in Vietnam earning two purple hearts and Cross of Gallantry metal-silver. Jim graduated from Daviess County High School and Owensboro Community College. Jim was a loving, kind, generous and adventurous man who loved to travel. He enjoyed surfing in Waikiki, HI, driving the road to Hana in HI, watching the sunrise in Haleakala, HI, parasailing in Florida, snorkeling while on a cruise to the Bahama islands, Canada adventures such as a Daddy/Daughter trip to see the Northern Lights, and fishing and hunting with friends (and he has the mounted fish and bear skin rug to prove it)! He also enjoyed camping at Diamond Lake, especially through car show and Halloween seasons. He loved traveling to the Smokey Mountains with extended family members such as Pat and Kelly Vanover, Ella Mae, Roy Peay, kids, grandkids and always with his devoted wife, Brenda, of 56 years. He planned his last adventure trip driving across the country to see Winslow, Arizona in 2018. He wanted to live out one of his favorite songs, “Take it Easy” by The Eagles. The day after returning from this over 3000 mile trip, he suffered a stroke. This left his last adventures to be watching his favorite TV programs like car races, action movies, The History and Travel channels. One of his favorite hobbies was flying, whether flying his own plane, going to air shows or playing with remote control airplanes. He participated in drag racing and circle track racing at Kentucky Motor Speedway. Most of all, he enjoyed working on cars for himself or others in need of his knowledge, while spending time with friends, neighbors or his beloved nephews, Nathan, Mark, Jacob, James and Hunter Thomson and Steve and Robbie Daily (proceed in death). Many people knew him as Jim Daily the mechanic, the big guy with the biggest heart to help anyone in need. He loved American history, music (favorites were The Eagles, Bob Seger, CCR, etc.), telling stories of history, including music history and his travels & adventures. He had a story that could relate to anyone and loved sharing his knowledge & sense of humor. He was preceded in death by a son, James Ray Daily II; parents, Claud and Melvilla Daily; brothers, Huston and Robert Daily; nephews, Steve and Robbie Daily; half-brother, George Neal; and half-sister, Mamie Pierce. Survivors include his wife, Brenda Ammons Daily; daughter, Holly Daily Henry and her husband, Patrick Henry; daughter-in-law, Susan Daily; granddaughters, Lily, Ella and Josie Henry, Ashley Daily Barger and Samantha Daily Mattingly; great-grandchildren; sisters, Ella Mae Peay and Henrietta Thomson; and his many loved nieces and nephews. A special “Thank you” to all of the home caregivers that were special to him (Brandy, Rebecca, Amanda and Anita), the Owensboro VA, and the critical care unit nurses at Owensboro Regional Health Systems. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at James H. Davis Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Owensboro Memorial Gardens with military honors. Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until service time on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Fisher House in St Louis, P.O. Box 998, Fenton, MO 63125 or www.fisherhouseinstl.org and/or disable veterans organizations. Online messages of condolence may be made at www.davisfuneralhome.com. Read more
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Ray Daily April 19 1947 November 7 2022.
James H Davis Funeral Home Inc
Death notice for the town of: Owensboro, state: Kentucky